Longitudinally split and hinged barge

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an improvement in longitudinally split barges where the edges of the hopper of the barge with sealing means are pressed together on closing the barge. Said sealing means consisting of at least one projecting web on one barge half and at least two projecting webs on the second barge half (i.e. the edges of the hopper), the said webs interacting and thus form a labyrinth seal and a shearing force resistant element between the two barge halves.

United States Patent Inventor Kjell Werenskiold Bekkestua Nr. Oslo, Norway Appl. No. 804,502

Filed Mar. 5, 1969 Patented Aug. 3, 1971 Assignee Ingeniou- F. Selmer AIS Oslo, Norway LONGXTUDINALLY sru'r AND HINGED anon 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 1 14/29 B63b 35/30 Field Search 114/27, 29;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,721,393 10/1955 Frisbee 49/483 X 3,186,369 6/1965 McLennan et a1. 114/29 X 3,198,156 8/1965 Kunz 114/29 Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix AflomeyPennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor and Adams ABSTRACT: This invention relates to an improvement in longitudinally split barges where the edges of the hopper of the barge with sealing means are pressed together on closing the barge. Said sealing means consisting of at least one projecting ,web on one barge half and at least two projecting webs on the second barge half (i.e. the edges of the hopper), the said webs interacting and thus form a labyrinth seal and a shearing force resistant element between the two barge halves.

PATENTED AUG 3 I97! 3, 596. 621

INVENTOR.

LONGITUDINALLY SPLIT AND HINGE!) BARGE This invention relates to an improvement in longitudinally split barges where the two barge halves are interconnected by hinges, so that the two barge halves by means of one or more hydraulic rams, may be pivoted away from and towards each other for discharging of the load and closing of the barge respectively, and where the edges of the hopper of the barge with sealing means are pressed together and the barge halves may be interlocked by means of a locking device.

The use of longitudinally split barges having two halves interconnected by means of hinges, and opening and closing controlled by double acting hydraulic rams positioned at either end of the hopper, is generally known.

Previously such barges have been provided with elastic sealing means disposed along the edges of the hopper between the two barge halves in order to prevent dredged material being washed out or water leakage during loading and towing. A disadvantage of the said elastic sealing means, which are made for instance of rubber, plastic, timber etc., is that they are easily damaged and lose their efl'ect due to wear and tear caused by the discharge of dredged material from the hopper.

In order to achieve a uniform sealing pressure along the entire length of the hopper it is known to build the two barge halves with a small camber (i.e. the bottom edges of the hopper halves are slightly curved), thus achieving prestressing of the barge halves against each other when in closed position. This is a relatively complicated construction, however, and damage to the sealing means may occur when solid materials become wedged between the barge halves on closing, leading to expensive repair work.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sealing means which is technically simple, robust, is not damaged during discharging operations, and finally adds to the total strength of the barge since the hinges are relieved of shearing forces, caused by sea conditions, between the two barge halves in both the longitudinal and transverse direction of the barge.

in accordance with the invention, this is achieved by disposing at least one projecting web along the bottom edge of the hopper, and at least two projecting webs on the edge of the second barge half, the said webs interacting and forming a labyrinth seal thereby.

The invention is characterized in that the sealing means comprises at least one projecting web on one barge half and at least two projecting webs on the second barge half, said projecting webs interacting so as to form a labyrinth seal which, in addition to its sealing effect, is adapted to transfer shearing forces in transverse direction.

A practical embodiment of the invention is characterized in that projecting webs on the hopper edges are made of angle irons which are welded or attached in any suitable manner to the edges so as to form the said labyrinth.

The invention is described hereinafter with reference to the drawings, where FIG. 1 shows a section through a barge in full open position,

FIG. 2 shows a section through the edges along the hopper bottom.

FIG. 1 shows a section of a longitudinally split barge where the barge halves l are pivoted apart by means of hydraulic rams 2 about the hinges 3. The inclined sideplates of the hopper are indicated in dotted lines 4 and are efiected with an incline such as to permit all types of bulk material to slide and discharge into the sea when the barge is in open position as shown on the drawing. The barge is equipped with an aggregate 5 for delivery of hydraulic fluid to the rams 2. The sealing means along the edge of the hopper 8 are shown as projecting webs 9 which are arranged so as to fit and interact when the barge halves l are pivoted together and so form a labyrinth seal. The projecting webs 9 may also extend along both ends of the vertical sides of the hopper, thus forming a complete seal along the ends sides of the hop er.

The labyrinth seal is further illustrated on 10. 2, where the projecting webs 9 are comprised of angle irons welded to the edges. The angle irons are positioned in such a manner as to form a labyrinth seal having a very slight clearance between the adjacent surfaces. In this manner small particles of sand and fine materials become wedged between the two halves of the barge and form complete sealing. The inclined surfaces of the labyrinth seal will prevent particles from settling on the projecting webs when open, thus avoiding damage to the barge and seals when closed.

In addition to the above described advantages the webs fit and interact in such a manner as to permit transference of the shearing forces, caused by sea conditions in both longitudinal and transverse direction, thereby relieving the interconnecting hinges of the barge of severe strain.

This last is of utmost importance when a loaded barge is exposed to the action of waves and the shearing forces imposed would otherwise be transferred to the hinges 3, the actual stress of which is not easily calculated. The projecting interlocking webs 9 on the hopper edges 8 allow an important extra margin of safety with respect to undesireable movement between the two barge halves.

The barge halves I may be locked in closed position by the hydraulic system which is maintained under pressure, or by means of a mechanical locking device or a combination of these two systems.

lclaim:

1. In a longitudinally split barge comprising two barge halves, the upper portions of which are interconnected by hinges, means for pivoting the barge halves away and toward each other to respectively discharge the load and close the barge, the edges of the barge halves which come together when the barge is closed having sealing means which are pressed together, and means for locking the barge halves in closed position, the improvement wherein the sealing means comprises a labyrinth seal extending lengthwise along said edges of the barge and including at least one web extending lengthwise along the edge of one barge half and at least two webs extending lengthwise along the edge of the other barge half, said webs on the respective edges of the barge halves interacting and cooperating when the barge halves are in closed position to form said labyrinth seal between said edges of the barge halves.

2. A longitudinally split barge according to claim 1, wherein the webs forming the labyrinth seal each comprises an angle iron with its two longitudinal edges attached to the barge halves with the inclined outer surfaces of the angle irons interwedged to form the labyrinth seal and provide a structure resistant to shearing forces between the two barge halves.

3. A longitudinally split barge according to claim 1, wherein the barge halves include ends extending upwardly from the bottom of the barge, the facing edges of which come together when the barge is closed, and wherein said webs extend along said facing edges of both ends of the barge thereby forming seals therealong when the barge halves are in closed position. 

1. In a longitudinally split barge comprising two barge halves, the upper portions of which are interconnected by hinges, means for pivoting the barge halves away and toward each other to respectively discharge the load and close the barge, the edges of the barge halves which come together when the barge is closed having sealing means which are pressed together, and means for locking the barge halves in closed position, the improvement wherein the sealing means comprises a labyrinth seal extending lengthwise along said edges of the barge and including at least one web extending lengthwise along the edge of one barge half and at least two webs extending lengthwise along the edge of the other barge half, said webs on the respective edges of the barge halves interacting and cooperating when the barge halves are in closed position to form said labyrinth seal between said edges of the barge halves.
 2. A longitudinally split barge according to claim 1, wherein the webs forming the labyrinth seal each comprises an angle iron with its two longitudinal edges attached to the barge halves with the inclined outer surfaces of the angle irons interwedged to form the labyrinth seal and provide a structure resistant to shearing forces between the two barge halves.
 3. A longitudinally split barge according to claim 1, wherein the barge halves include ends extending upwardly from the bottom of the barge, the facing edges of which come together when the barge is closed, and wherein said webs extend along said facing edges of both ends of the barge thereby forming seals therealong when the barge halves are in cLosed position. 